Years passed in a malodorous blur. The soldier was shunned along from village to village, testing the tolerance of citizens along the way, from one end of the realm to another he roamed. One night he sought shelter and kindness from an old innkeeper who had shown him both on another occasion several years ago. He did not realize that events would be set in motion this evening that would change his squalorous existence forever.

While he peeked the old man was lamenting, how he’d soon lose the inn and all his cash.He thought there was no way of preventing his daughters living life like poor white trash.

The story so far: A soldier returns from the war to find his home town less than receptive and welcoming. Times are hard in his village and even his own family can offer him no support. In a depressed state the soldier wanders aimlessly in the nearby Black Forest where he meets a menacing hooded stranger. As the stranger begins to address him the soldier sees a looming dark form arise from the trees behind the hooded one. It is a huge bear. His trained reflexes take over and in a matter of seconds the soldier has placed a ball into the heart of the bear which topples forward dead.
It is then that the stranger, whom our hero has begun to discern as The Prince of Darkness himself, offers the brave marksman an offer he sees no reason to refuse. Says the Devil, “If you can survive for seven years without cutting your hair or beard, without washing your clothes or body, wearing only the skin of this bear you have slain. I will reward you with fame and limitless fortune, and the love of a beautiful and faithful woman. Should you die by any means during this seven years your soul will be mine.”

“If when seven years have passed us, and by chance you still survive,Return here where the fates have cast us, for fortune, fame and faithful wife.”